2016 GMC Yukon
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1992 | 19 |
| 1993 | 17 |
| 1994 | 58 |
| 1995 | 90 |
| 1996 | 70 |
| 1997 | 133 |
| 1998 | 80 |
| 1999 | 204 |
| 2000 | 166 |
| 2001 | 197 |
| 2002 | 158 |
| 2003 | 204 |
| 2004 | 158 |
| 2005 | 85 |
| 2006 | 27 |
| 2007 | 428 |
| 2008 | 185 |
| 2009 | 94 |
| 2010 | 105 |
| 2011 | 158 |
| 2012 | 62 |
| 2013 | 116 |
| 2014 | 56 |
| 2015 | 528 |
| 2016 | 264 |
| 2017 | 194 |
| 2018 | 69 |
| 2019 | 51 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 290 |
| 2022 | 162 |
| 2023 | 207 |
| 2024 | 86 |
| 2025 | 46 |
| 2026 | 19 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
37% of complaints: exterior lighting — 97 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM AND DO NOT PROVIDE APPROPRIATE VISIBILITY FOR SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT, PARTICULARLY WHEN NAVIGATING CURVY ROADS AS THE LIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT AN ADEQUATE DISTANCE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160131
20% of complaints: electrical system — 53 distinct reports on file.
20% of complaints: service brakes — 52 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE IN SLOW TRAFFIC, I PRESSED BRAKES TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDDLE DID NOT COMPRESS DOWN, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN TO KEEP FROM STRIKING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE MEDIAN WAS WET AND MUDDY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190722
My 2016 GMC Yukon is hard to stop when pressing brake pedal. Vehicle shimmyâs when pressing the brake and it must be pressed very hard. Have read and watched many videos this is very common issue on 2014-2018 Yukons and Tahoes.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231126
13% of complaints: power train — 33 distinct reports on file.
13% of complaints: engine — 33 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
My 2016 GMC Yukon Denali was taken in for a tune up. When I received the vehicle back, I was told that there was possibly a microscopic pin hole in my engine because fluid (engine coolant) was under one of the injectors.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231115
SAFETY TIMELINE
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016.
Campaign 16V256000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016.
Campaign 16V651000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017.
Campaign 17V437000 — check if this car was fixed
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.
Campaign 19V645000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.
Campaign 19V761000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2016 GMC Yukon — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (97 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (53 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (52 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 16V256000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V651000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V437000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V645000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V761000 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2016 GMC Yukon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 GMC Yukon is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Yukon?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Yukon have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.